Some buildings are designed for work – think an office. Residential buildings are designed to be private places where we shelter from the outside world. Then there are public buildings designed for social leisure: for making and keeping friendships. This is what the Community Activity Center was designed for, making and keeping friends. Its simple floorplan is a rich backdrop for fond memories, made of wood, stone and steel, all ingredients in creating a warm aesthetic inspired by national park lodges. A generous multipurpose space, a music room, a restaurant and bar are built for sharing stories and laughter. The patio under a trellis is the ideal setting for sipping drinks while enjoying a Montana sunset.

Designing a building then bidding and awarding a contractor the job to make the design reality can be a frightening journey. It makes for a tense and confrontational arrangement when reputations and dollars are at stake. The Community Activity Center was a different story. Yes, there were disagreements, but the project team worked through them. They realized they all wanted the same thing: successful completion of a functional and handsome building. The experience inspired the contractor and WJA Design Collaborative to pursue, win and work on projects together – and they’ve been friends ever since.